Dart board game



Jan. 28, 1969 v. A. SIMPSON 3,424,460

DART BOARD GAME Filed April 1, 1966 m VEN'TOR V/RT A. 5/MP5ON ATTORNEYS United States Patent 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A game of baseball played by throwing aerial projectiles such as darts with rubber suction cups against a target having different play combinations for producing scores.

This invention is particularly well suited for playing the game of baseball by throwing some form of dart at a target on which is printed indicia relating to baseball, e.g., double, triple, home run, etc. The indicia is placed on the target in a predetermined manner to add to the enjoyment. One of the biggest problems encountered in such a game, however, is that the play and resulting scores are oftentimes unrealistic, i.e., they do not resemble an actual game in that the scores are usually astronomical. This invention is directed to providing a combination of target and aerial projectile which provides plenty of action and realistic scores.

Briefly stated the invention is in a dart and dart board on which are arranged a plurality of concentrically formed successively larger circles.

The lines forming the circles as well as the spacing between the lines are utilized in scoring the game. The lines in the case of baseball, are related to strikes, thereby making it possible for an individual to strike out by successively hitting three lines. The an'nuli formed between the circular lines bear indicia relating to, for example, home run, triple, walk, etc. The scoring of the game is kept within realistic bounds by providing a dart or projectile having a contacting surface whose diameter or cross section is related to the radial spacing between the concentrically formed circles. In other words, there is an important relationship between the contacting surfaces of the projectile and the radial spacing between the lines forming the circles. It has been found that the scores become unrealistic if this fixed relationship is varied by more than The following description of the invention will be better understood by having reference to the annexed drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the target;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the dart; and

FIG. 3 is another embodiment of the dart which utilizes a rubber suction cup.

Referring generally to the drawing and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a target board generally indicated at 4. The target board 4 is, preferably, rectangular and is formed from a smooth hard surfaced board 6 mounted on, or glued together in back-to-back relation with a softer surfaced board 8. The hard surface board 6 is suitable for receiving a dart with a rubber suction cup, while the softer surface board, e.g., fiberboard or cork board, is suitable for receiving a dart having a pointed shaft or needle.

The targets on each side of the target board 4 are similar; therefore, their description will be given in relation to the target 10 on the exposed surface of the cork board 8. The target 10 comprises a plurality of successively larger circles 12-22 concentrically formed about a common point or center 24 of the target board 4.

The area encompassed by the smallest circle 12 is known as the home run circle and receives the term, home run. The annulas or area between the next largest circle 14 and the home run circle 12 preferably receives the term, triple. The annulus or area formed between the next circle 16 and the triple circle 14 preferably receives the term, walk. The annulus or space formed between the next circle 18 and the walk circle 16 preferably receives the term, double. The annulus or area formed between the next circle 20 and the double circle 18 preferably receives the term, single, and the annulus or area formed between the largest circle 22 and the single circle 20 preferably receives the terms, two outs or double play. The area surrounding the largest circle 22 preferably receives the terms fly out.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 2, there is shown a dart 26. The dart 26 comprises a body 28 having stabilizing fins 30 at one end. The other end of the dart body 28 is weighted by a sphere made of any suitable material, e.g., rubber or plastic, and representing a baseball. A

pointed shaft or needle 34 extends from the baseball 32,

and is concentric with the longitudinal axis of the dart body 26.

A disc 36 made from any suitable material, e.g., plastic or metal, is resiliently mounted on the pointed shaft 34 a predetermined distance from the shafts pointed end 35. The disc 36 is also biased towards the pointed shaft end 35. This is accomplished by providing a centrally disposed hole 38 in the disc 36 through which the pointed shaft 34 extends. The disc 36 is biased towards the pointed shaft end 35, and held in a plane substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the pointed shaft 34, by any suitable biasing means, e.g., a helical spring 40 coiled around the pointed shaft 34, and having its ends secured to the disc 36 and baseball 32.

The disc 36 has a diameter which is smaller than the smallest circle 12 and radial spacings 8 -8 between the concentrically formed target circles :12-22. It has been found that in order to produce realistic scores, the disc diameter d should be in fixed predetermined relationship to the radial spacings S S S S and S and this relationship should not be varied by more than 5%. Good results have been obtained by using a disc diameter d of I i inches with target spacings 3 -8 of 2 inches. The home run circle, however, for added thrills can be made somewhat larger, e.g., a circle diameter S of 2%3 inches has proved satisfactory.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 3, there is shown a dart or projectile 42 having a rubber suction cup 44 at one end for engaging and adhering to the target 10, rather than the pointed shaft 34. The other end of the dart 42 is similarly provided with stabilizing fins 46. The darts esthetic appearance is enhanced by mounting a similar sphere 48 in the form of a baseball, on the dart 42 adjacent the rubber suction cup 44. The baseball 48 gives an individual the feeling of throwing or pitching a real baseball. Similarly, when the dart 42 is adhering to the target 10, the diameter d, of the rubber suction cup 44 should be in fixed predetermined relation to the tar get spacing 5 -8 i.e., the cup diameter d should also be 1 inches when the target spacings are 2 inches.

An important feature of the game is that the lines forming the target circles 12-22 are utilized in scoring the game. The lines bear the markings of some form of strike. Thus, when any portion of a line is covered by the darts disc 36 or suction cup 44, a strike is called against the thrower or batter. As in baseball, three successive strikes and you are out, or in this case an out is Patented Jan. 28, 1969 p recorded. In this way, every shot counts, which is usually not the case in other games as a hit on one of the lines does not count for anything. The game moves much more rapidly when each shot counts.

Operation of the game The game is normally played by two or more individuals who take turns at being at bat, i.e., throwing the darts at the target until they are retired by scoring three outs. The hits on the board are tabulated on a scoring sheet and the number of runs scored at each time at bat are recorded. The disc 36 or suction cup 44 must be entirely within the lines before a hit is recorded in the spacings S -S If the disc 36 or suction cap 44 covers any portion of the lines forming the circles 12-22, such hit is recorded as a strike as indicated on the target 10. A hit on the area of the target outside the largest circle 22 is recorded as a fly out. A complete miss of the target board 4 can be recorded as a strike in order to maintain the pace at which the game moves. It has been found that by utilizing the lines to record strikes, and providing a definite relationship between the target spacings and the darts contacting surfaces, realistic scoring values result and the games played are competitive, thereby maintaining interest in the game. The normal rules of baseball, i.e., the number of innings, etc., are followed to the games completion.

Thus, there has been provided a new and novel game using a target with an aerial projectile, which is especially useful in playing a fictions game of baseball wherein the scores produced are realistic and competitive.

What is claimed is:

1. A game utilizing combinations of a series of plays for producing scores, comprising in combination:

(a) a target;

(b) a plurality of successively larger circles concentrically disposed on the target, the radial spacing between adjacent circles being equal;

(c) a circular target portion disposed within the smallest circle of said circles, and annular target portions disposed within remaining adjacent circles of said circles, said circles maintaining said circular and annular target portions in spaced relation;

(d) an aerial projectile for throwing and adhering to the target;

(e) means carried by the projectile for covering a circular area of the target when the projectile is adhering to the target, the circular area covered by said projectile carrying means having a diameter which is smaller than, and in predetermined relation to the radial spacing between the adjacent circles;

(f) means associated with the circles for indicating certain plays affecting the scoring of the game when the means carried by said projectile covers any portion of a circle disposed on said target; and

(g) means associated with the circular and annular target portions for indicating certain other plays affecting the scoring of the game when the means carried by said projectile lies wholly within said circular and annular target portions.

2. The game of claim 1, wherein the aerial projectile includes, a dart having a rubber suction cup at one end.

3. The game of claim 2, wherein the predetermined relationship between the size of said suction cup and said radial spacing is not varied by more than 5%.

4. The game of claim 3, wherein said radial spacing is 2 inches, and the diameter of the suction cup when said cup is adhering to the target measures approximately 1 inches.

5. The game of claim 1, wherein the aerial projectile includes:

(e) a dart having a pointed shaft for sticking in the target; and

(f) a disc surrounding the shaft and biased towards the point of the shaft, said disc having a diameter which is smaller than, and in predetermined relationship to said radial spacing.

6. The game of claim 5, which includes:

(g) a coil spring surrounding the shaft for biasing the disc.

7. The game of claim 6, wherein the predetermined relationship between the diameter of said disc and said radial spacing is not varied by more than 5%.

8. The game of claim 7, wherein said radial spacing is 2 inches and the diameter of the disc is approximately 1 inches.

9. A dart for throwing and adhering to a target, comprising in combination:

(a) a body portion with stabilizing fins at one end thereof;

(b) a pointed shaft extending from the body portion in opposed relation to the fins on said body;

(c) a rigid disc centrally disposed on the shaft and movable axially therealong, said disc lying in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis of said shaft; and

(d) a spring secured to the disc for resiliently holding the disc adjacent the pointed end of the shaft such that when the dart is adhering to the target, the disc will abut the target and cover a circular portion thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 429,953 6/1890 Pratt 273102 1,783,303 12/1930 Oberndorfer. 2,068,306 1/1937 Weinberg 273106.5

FOREIGN PATENTS 788,356 1/1958 Great Britain. 801,599 9/1958 Great Britain.

ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner.

M. R. PAGE, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 273-l06.5, 102 

